We’ve all done it. We just can’t wait for that first bite of a delicious, home-cooked meal. Or we are so eager for that first sip of coffee that we take a drink even though it hasn’t cooled yet.
Unfortunately, that eagerness usually leads to a burned tongue. Ouch! What do you do about it? How do you relieve a burnt tongue? Are there foods that will make a burt tongue feel worse?
At Beavers & Broomfield Family Dentistry, we know the tissue inside your mouth can be very sensitive. Tongue burns and a burned mouth can certainly hurt, but they can also cause other problems if not treated properly. So how do you heal a burnt tongue? Time is the best healer, but we have some suggestions on how to soothe a burnt tongue.
Symptoms of a Burned Tongue
What happens when you burn your tongue? Foods that are too hot can damage the papillae on your tongue — those little dots that cover your tongue. Your taste buds are within those papillae, so you may not be able to taste anything with a burned tongue, or you may get a metallic taste as your blood rushes in to make repairs.
What are the symptoms of a burnt tongue?
- Pain
- Loss of taste or metallic taste
- Pink or white patches on the tongue
- Disappearance of the papillae
- Sensitivity to hot, cold, citrus, or spicy foods and drinks
How to Heal a Burnt Tongue
We understand. You HAD to have that first sip of hot coffee. How do you heal a burnt tongue from coffee? Is there a home remedy for burnt tongue from hot food? How long does a burnt tongue take to heal?
In most cases, a burnt tongue isn’t serious and will heal on its own, but there are things you can do to soothe and numb your burnt tongue until it heals, usually within a few days.
If you burn your tongue, start by cooling it off immediately to reduce the burning sensation and swelling. Cold water or milk will cool your tongue and reduce the pain. If need be, you can take over-the-counter pain medications to reduce the pain.
You can also coat your tongue with honey. Not only will it soothe your tongue, but honey has antibacterial properties that will keep your tongue from getting infected if there are any blisters or open wounds.
Some of our patients have asked, can you put Orajel on your tongue? Mouth-safe products that contain benzocaine, such as Orajel, Anbesol, and other such products, can be used to soothe a burnt tongue. You can also use an anesthetic mouthwash. You should only need these products for a few days, as most tongue burns tend to heal quickly.
Make sure you keep up your good oral hygiene habits while your tongue heals. The less bacteria you have in your mouth, the less chance you have of ending up with an infection. Just be careful when cleaning your tongue. Instead of brushing it, consider wiping it gently with a cloth so you don’t irritate or remove the damaged tissue and make the wounds worse.
What Not to Do With a Burnt Tongue
Until your tongue heals, it will be sensitive while eating or drinking. Hot foods can irritate the damaged tissue or make the burns worse, so be sure to let your food cool off enough before you eat it! The same goes for that morning cup of coffee and any other hot drinks.
Certain foods may also irritate your tongue. Foods that are spicy or contain citrus (lemons, limes, grapefruit, etc.) may hurt your burnt tongue. Citrus foods contain citric acid, and spices that burn normally may hurt much worse when they pass over a burned tongue. Stick with bland, cool foods for a few days while your tongue heals.
Getting Tongue Care in Fayetteville, AR
If your tongue is no better or worse after a week or so, you may need to seek medical attention and have it checked for more serious burns or infections. Contact Beavers & Broomfield Family Dentistry if you’re in the Fayetteville, AR, area if you need an examination. We’ll bring you in and examine the seriousness of your tongue injury and recommend the best steps to take for better healing.
